What was your first?

Robmcleod82

CGN Regular
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So I was reading a post earlier and it got me thinking. We know what the master precision riflemen of this forum are shooting(and lets face it majority of us cant afford it yet) But that doesn't interest me near as much as what was your first "precision" rifle? And what was the progression from there on. Also what optics were involved.
I think it would be cool to hear from the guys who are running the $5000 plus rigs and see what led them there, I think that might help some of the wannabees (myself included) skip a step or two.
I don't yet own a "precision rifle" but I do have a rem 700vs that will hopefully going to see Rick at Alberta Tactical Rifle for a new barrel and a tune up soon.
 
The first time I made the Canadian Rifle Team to Bisley (1978) I used a CIL 950T with a Central rear (Savage 110 single shot). I still have that rifle although it is in 223 right now instead of 7.62. It is still in a fibreglass stock I manufactured. When I made the team it had a S&L barrel suited to the issue ammo we used. I did not shoot it at Bisley (took it as a spare) but switched to a Swing (forerunner of the QLock) again with a S&L and in my own fibreglass stock. Had a good year there in 1979, was shot out shooting shoot offs and came third in the St. Georges and some aggs. This is coat and sling and irons stuff.
 
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Tikka model 55 Varmint in 22-250 and 243. Burris 4-12 Fullfield II. about 35 years ago. Many similar varmint rifles in between. Now custom 6BR with Lilja barrels and Model12F in 6.5x284.
 
Lee Enfield No1 Mk111 given to me by my father in law was my introduction to centerfire and hunting. This then lead to reloading, etc, etc, etc.

Shot alot of rimfire before that with the 10/22 and Ruger Mk1 HG my favorites.

Jerry
 
6.5x55 Husky Swede Mauser in 1985
From there I went up to custom actioned, McMillan stocked, Krieger/McLennan barreled guns by 1998
Those all got sold due to my economic plight.
Converted a few Rem 700's into F-Class machines and one old 40X
I've never spent $5000 on a rifle yet, no intentions.
My go to scopes are Super Sniper 16x and 20X that I bought for $279 a piece.

Maybe I'll build a super block bedded F-Class rig with a bubba'd $100 dollar German Mauser 98 action. The biggest expense will be the barrel. ;)
 
Mt first target rifle was built on a P14 action. Someone else built it for the 1973 Canada Summer Games. From there I bought a slightly used Remington 40X. Shot that for one season then had it rebuilt by Bill Wylde with an Obermeyer barrel and McMillan prone stock. Then bought a HHE Millennium action and built a rifle around that. It is still my #1 rifle and has had 2 McLennen barrel and now wears a Bartlein. Along the way I have picked up a few other rifles to use as back up rifles. One is a Wichita that my daughter has claimed the other is a Musgrave that I am putting into another McMillan prone stock.
For sights I have used AJ Parkers on the P14, CH sights (Central knock off) on the Remington and Wichita and HHE Millennium sight on the Millennium until they broke over in Bisley in 2007. The Millennium rilfe and the Musgrave both have Brindles sights now.
 
Rem 40X single-shot action (mint condition) with .223 bolt face and original walnut target stock, no barrel, that was offered for sale to me by a CGN member (thanks Ted!). I quickly mated it with a MacLennan barrel, TPS pic rail and rings and a Leupold 8.5-25 scope.

It's been a real pleasure to shoot......
 
Tikka T3 Lite SS .223 with a Barska 6.5-24x50, moved up to a Bushnell 4200 6-24X50 Tactical, then up to a used Nightforce Varminter 5.5-22x56.

Rifle was precise enough to shoot a couple of 150/150 (with a few X's to boot) on the ISSF targets at 300m, not many....but a couple.

After this I built my first custom and haven't looked back since. :D
 
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Winchester Coyote in 22-250 with bushnell trophy 4-12, with handloads this rifle would make clover leafs at 100y, now working on building a .243 on an savage 10FP action with Bushnell 4200 6-24x50.
 
Apart from the rifles my dad gave me when I was younger

Which was a Remington 700 ADL in 25-06.....

Started putzin around with CZ527 in .204
Bought NUMEROUS .22-250s, from CZ550 to Tikka T3....Savage 12FVs,

Stevens 200 in .243... All topped with various optics from Nikon bushmaster to Bushnell 4200s....

Then I met Rick from ATRS at a gun show....And well the rest is history...

.22-250AI on Barnard Action - Nightforce 5.5x22x56 - ATRS built
then
.338LAI on Nesika Action - NXS 8X32x56 ATRS built

.260AI on Stiller Tac 30- NXS 5.5x22x56mm Atrs built.

Have sold most of the other rifles, only kept the .204 and a savage in .243

the rest have left the gun safe to fund the customs, plus they just collected dust....
 
Remington Model 700 Varmint in 223, 18 years ago. Then a few Remington VS in 22-250 and 6mm Remington. Then remington semi customs in 300WM and 7mmSTW. Now Savages with custom barrels and full blown customs costing upwards of $5000.

Still I have the most fun with my Savage LRPV with a McGowan barrel chambered in
6mmBr. I wish it was the first rifle I ever had.
 
Remington 700 XCR Tactical Long Range .223

* Tactical Bell & Carlson stock in OD Green w/black webbing
* Full-length aluminum bedding block, tactical beavertail fore-end and recessed
* Black TriNyte® Corrosion Control System o
* 26" varmint-contour 416 stainless steel barreled action with dish-style target crown
* 40-X externally adjustable trigger
* Hinged floorplate magazine, Dual front swivel studs and rear stud
* Barrel is free-floating with LTR-style fluting
* Harris Bipod
* Bushnell Elite 6500 Tactical w/Sunshade
 
Shot my first National in 1970, made the 1971 Palma in Perry,
Shot 2nd National in 1971, made the 1972 Bisley team with the rifle of the day

CARL GUSTAFS.
Gave it up for 35 years, big mistake, but am back shooting RPA,Quadlock, Smith barrel, and Reiben stock, put together by Henry himself.
 
My first is a depressing story. I became a victum of gun shop talk. I was swayed out of a model 700 VLS in .243 and talked into a .300 win mag in a Tikka 695 (light) The gun was very well put together and so smooth but it was sold after 3 months. It took a half a year to get rid of the flinch that rifle gave me. Lots of days at the range with the .22 LR. I learned my lesson.

I have a .300 now but in a decent weight rifle that I can handle.
 
Sportco 44 BABY! :rockOn: :D

One round and I was hooked...Just like Crack....but more expensive!

More than 30 years ago....:eek:
 
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